Juveniles Should Be Tried as Adults - Argumentative Essay

Introduction

How much higher must the juvenile delinquency rates go before we take action? Juvenile Court System was established to allow young offenders to be treated individually and tried more effectively. Any juvenile found to be violating the rules can receive rehabilitation. The ideal scenario is that the youth will take advantage of the system and commit violent crimes in order to avoid a harsher sentence. (Berg 2020). Although it is hard to accept that people will lose their lives, personal security, or resources, it shouldn't be mistaken for something inexorable. Young offenders might not be able to understand the severity of violent crimes and their impact on victims. However, those who are convicted of crimes such as these should imagine themselves in the shoes of victims and their loved ones. Although many may not agree with the way the justice system treats juveniles accused of crimes, it is important to remember that age does not always determine how they are treated. Sometimes minors can be dangerous and are overlooked. However, every person who violates the law must be treated equally and given justice, regardless of their age.

Research shows that juveniles should sometimes be tried in the same way as adults. Many opponents of the policy argue that it is a disadvantage. More time should be given to improve juveniles' comprehension. In order to reduce and stop minor offenses, it is beneficial for children who are charged with crimes to be brought into the adult system. According to the Office of Justice Programs, 810,000 Americans were arrested in 2017 for only offenses. It is still very high, despite the fact that it has fallen 58% since 2008. This judicial approach to young offenders may result in fewer teenage crimes. Juvenile courts have become outdated and extremely lenient due to increased advocacy for human right within the criminal justice systems. This is a serious problem. Because they don't feel the consequences of their crimes, today's youth will often escape the courts. Some youth who escape punishment might end up committing serious crimes, such as murder or mass violence. The youth will still commit minor offenses or legal crimes if they are not punished. Young offenders will be more likely to think twice about committing a crime if they are subject to behavioral monitoring programs.

Second, assigning juvenile offenders to adult courts will help ensure justice for both the victim and the offender. The victims' families can rest easier knowing that the young offender has been tried. They will feel safer knowing that the criminal responsible for their loved one's death or injury is behind bars. The criminal's age does not matter. Family members and the public will feel at risk regardless. They should demand protection. The victim's family and friends will feel traumatized, and they will be required to watch their every move to keep safe.

To stop criminals from committing more crimes, a justice system was created. However, juveniles learn that their actions are not consequences when they are allowed to go free. This is a bad lesson that will teach them to not care about the consequences as they grow older. Eren and Mocan state that criminally minded people often return to crime once they are released (2021, p. 39). Different types of crimes can be committed at different levels of criminality, with impacts ranging from mild to severe. Teens are more likely to find themselves in trouble as they grow up. This is due to the severity and nature of their crimes. Lethal violence is more common than ever. People between the ages of 16 and 24 can find it difficult because they are more likely to be victims of violence. All minors are tried in juvenile court. They are only convicted if the case is brought to an adult court. A juvenile is tried before an adult jury if there are more than one point-of-view. A jury will likely agree to punish the minor.

Nevertheless, indicting juvenile offenders in adult courts has its disadvantages. First, juveniles are not competent enough to be tried as adults. High risks could be posed by a lack of understanding and consequences for their behavior. The danger of trying to make juveniles into adults is that they could end up in dangerous situations. The young offenders will likely be held in jail together with adult prisoners and could be exposed to dangers after they are convicted. Regoli (2019) states that keeping juvenile offenders inside adult facilities presents real risks to their safety and well-being. At this stage, suicide, sexual abuse, and physical assault are all more common. Many people oppose the idea of juveniles being tried as adults. Many worry that such a major change in the justice system could make it unsafe for people under 18.

Second, minors are less likely to commit serious crimes and have a lower impact. Juveniles are often emotionally undeveloped and may not be able to understand the consequences of their actions. The fact that minors are kept in jail is not a good thing does not mean they will be better off. Inmates who lose hope and have no rehabilitation options may turn to violence and commit more serious crimes than minor offenses. (Schwartz 2018, p. 47). They may not be able to change their minds while they are in prison and lose the chance to show that their minds can be changed. Although the purpose of placing them behind bars was to teach them, there are always negative outcomes.

Opponents of this judicial approach to juvenile delinquency claim that making mistakes as a teenager or young adult is normal and something that happens to all adults. Maybe they did it because their friends were doing it or just plain mad (Buss 2022, p. 847). It is fair that an individual gets a sentence for all they have done. These defendants are guilty of the same crime. These defendants should be sentenced for their crime, but prisons are not always the best option. Even though adults can make mistakes and do things they shouldn't, minors still learn what is right from wrong.

Conclusion

Let criminals get away with their crimes, regardless of age, is a time bomb. People must be able learn from their mistakes and juveniles should receive a punishment that is as severe as possible. Minors convicted of crimes could reduce crime rates. This is because, even though they are young and may not face punishment as much as adults, any future crime must be committed. The judicial approach of charging young offenders like adults would help protect them from future violent crimes such as those seen in American society today.

References

Berg, A. (2020) “Bright lines in juvenile justice,” The journal of political philosophy, (jopp.12235). doi: 10.1111/jopp.12235.

Buss, E. (2022) ‘Kids Are Not So Different: The Path from Juvenile Exceptionalism to Prison Abolition’, University of Chicago Law Review, 89(4), pp. 843–900. Available at: https://search-ebscohost-com.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/login.aspx?direct=true&db=asn&AN=157721934&site=eds-live&scope=site (Accessed: 7 September 2022).

Eren, O. and Mocan, N. (2021) “Juvenile punishment, high school graduation, and adult crime: Evidence from idiosyncratic judge harshness,” The Review of Economics and Statistics, 103(1), pp. 34–47. doi: 10.1162/rest_a_00872.

Lehmann, P. S., Chiricos, T. and Bales, W. D. (2018) “Juveniles on trial: Mode of conviction and the adult court sentencing of transferred juveniles,” crime and delinquency, 64(5), pp. 563–586. doi: 10.1177/0011128717714203.

Regoli, N. (2019) 22 should juveniles be tried as adults pros and cons, ConnectUS. Available at: https://connectusfund.org/22-should-juveniles-be-tried-as-adults-pros-and-cons (Accessed: September 7, 2022).

Schwartz, R. G. (2018) “A 21st century developmentally appropriate juvenile probation approach,” juvenile & family court journal, 69(1), pp. 41–54. doi: 10.1111/jfcj.12108.